Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised the "growing convergence" of views between his nation and Japan, saying strong ties will enable them to play a stabilizing role in Asia.

Modi is in Japan to sign a landmark nuclear energy pact and strengthen ties as China's regional influence grows and Donald Trump's election has thrown US policies across Asia into doubt.

India, Japan and the US have been building security ties by holding three-way naval exercises, but Trump's "America First" campaign promise has stirred concern about a reduced US engagement in the region - an approach that could draw Modi and Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe closer.